Collapsible spring cot-bed.



Jx W. RICHARDS.

COLLAPSIBLE SPRING cor BED.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 29. I9I8 Patented Apr. 29, 1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

J. W RiCHARDS. COLLAPSIBLE'SPRING 00? BED.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 29. i918. L3QQAS Patented Apr. 29, 1919.

2 SHEETS.*SHEET 2.

rmh'rels F'EYERS co r-woruurna. WASNINGYDN J OHN W. RICHARDS, 0F SOMERVILLE, MASSACHUSETTS.

COLLAPSIBLE SPRING COT-BED.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 29, 1919.

Application filed July 29, 1918. Serial No. 247,300.

To all whom it may concern:

' Be it known that I, JOHN WV. RICHARDS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Somerville, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented new and useful Improvements in Collapsible Spring Cot-Beds, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has for its object to provide a collapsible cot bed including a flexible bed bottom, composed of an elastic flexible body and springs constituting end portions of said body, and a supporting frame, connected by the springs with the ends of the bottom body, the arrangement being such that when the frame is operatively adjusted for use the springs are put under tension, so that the bottom body is yieldingly supported in a taut condition and constitutes a comfortable and suitably yielding support for the occupant or occupants of the bed, which is free from liability to depress the central portion of the occupants body below the extremities thereof, the bed bottom and frame being foldable into a relatively small compass.

The invention is embodied in the improve ments which I will now proceed to describe and claim.

Of the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification,-

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a cot bed embodying the invention, adjusted for use.

Fig. 2- is a side view of the same.

a Fig. 3 is a side view of a cot bed embodying the invention, adapted to be supported on a motor vehicle.

'Fig. 4 is a side view of a third embodiment of the invention.

Figs. 5 to 12, inclusive, are fragmentary views illustrating details, Fig. 5 being a section on line 55 of Fig. 1 and Fig. 6 a section on line 6-6 of Fig. 1.

Figs. 13, 14: and 15 are views similar to Figs. 2, 3, and 4:, showing the bottom body and springs deprived of tension.

Fig. 16 is a longitudinal section, illustrating another embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 17 is a top plan view, showing one end of the bed illustrated in Fig. 16.

Fig. 18 is a view similar toFig. 16, showing the bottom body and springs deprived of tension.

The same reference characters indicate the same parts in all of the figures.

flexible bed bottom of which the sheet 15 consitutes an inelastic flexible body portion, the springs 14 constituting extensions or end portions occupying the spaces between the ends of the body portion and the cross-bars. Said springs are adapted to support bedding at the end portions of the bed bottom. The springs 14: are under tension when the frame is extended, and yieldingly maintain the inelastic body 15 in the same plane with the springs, so that the body is adapted tobe bodily depressed by the weight of the occupant of the bed and to yield locally to conform to the curves of the occupants body withoutsagging insuch manner as to assume a longitudinal curvature from end to end. The discomfort due to the sagging of a flexible bed bottom between supports to which its opposite ends are attached is therefore avoided. I have found by practical use that the bottom body 15 affords a support'which, in comfort and freedom from liability to sag in such manner as to depress the central portion of the occupants body below the extremities thereof, compares with that afforded by a hair mattress supported by independent springs.

The construction of the frame is'such that, when it is extended, the cross-bars 12' and 13 are maintained a predetermined distance apart and exert tension on the springs, said construction permitting the cross-bars to ap proach eachother when the frame is folded, and thereby deprive the springs of tension, so that the bottom is foldable with the frame. The aggregate length of the body portion and springs is such that the springs are put under tension when the frame is extended, and deprived of tension when the distance between the CIOSSl32tlS is decreased.

Extending betweenthe crossbars 12 and 13 are two toggle joints, the interengagecl gle joint members and the cross bars, the arrangement being such that when the toggle joints are active or extended to their maxi tained at a maximum distance apart and exert tension 011 the springs 14 and bottom body 15, and when the toggle joints are in active, the cross bars approach each other, loosen the springs and body, and permit the folding of the bed.

In the embodiment of the invention shown by, Figs. 1, 2and 13, each toggle joint includes a relatively short member 17 connect ed with the cross bar 12, having an extension 17 constituting a leg member. The connections between the members 17 and the cross bar 12 are embodied in braces or leg members 18 pivoted at 19 to the members 17, and bolts 20 securing the leg members 18 to the cross bar 12.

Each toggle joint also includes a relatively long member 21 connected at one end with the cross bar 13, its opposite end meeting the member 17. The meeting portions of; the members 17 and 21 are preferably separably connected, although adapted to be swung relatively to each other, as may be seen by comparing Figs. 2 and 13, the mem ber 17 being provided with a socket 22 formed to receive one end portion of the member 21. I prefer to make the member 21' in two separable sections, to one of which is rigidly attached a socket 23 receiving a portion of the other section, this construction enabling the relatively long member 21 to be knocked down when the bed is folded.

The connections between the members 21 and the cross bar 13 are embodied in leg members 24, pivoted at 25 to the members 21 and bolts 26 connecting the cross bar 13 with the leg members 24.

The leg members 18ers connected with thelegmembers formed by the extensions 17- by braces 27 pivoted at 28 to the leg members 18 and detachably connected at 29 with the extensions 17 In like manner the leg members 24 are connected with the members 21 by braces 30 pivoted at 31 to the members 24 and detachably connected at 32 with the members 21. Provision is therefore made for folding the bed, as will be understood without further description.

Fig. 13 shows the bed with the above-described toggle joints inactive, the members 21 being partially engaged with sockets 22, the bed bottom 15 and springs 14 being loose. When the members 17 are moved from theposition shown by Fig. 13 to that shown by Fig. 2, the toggle joints become active, and the bottom 15 and springs 14 are put under tension, the bed being ready for use.

Figs. 3 and 14 represent a cot bed embodying the invention adapted to be supported by the body 33 of a'motor vehicle. In this embodiment of the invention each toggle joint is composed of-members 34 and 35 hinged together at 36. The connections between the members .34 and the crossbar 12 are emmum length, the cross bars are fixedly mainbodied in relatively short leg members 37 adapted tobear on the rear seat 38, arms 39 (Fig. 9) attached to the cross bar 12, and bolts 40 securing the joint members 34, the leg members 37 and the arms 39 together.

The connections between the joint mem-.

bers 35 and the cross bar 13 are embodied in leg members 41, adapted to rest on the floor of the body behind the front seat, and pivoted at 42 to the members 35, horizontal members 43 hinged at 44 to the leg members 41, leg members 45 adapted to bear on the floor ahead of the front seat, and hinges 46 (Fig. 7) securing the leg members 45 to the cross bar 13.

When the toggle joints are inactive, as shown byFig. 14, the distance between the cross bars 12 and 13- is decreased, and the bottom 15 and the springs 14 are loosened.

When the toggle oints are active, as shown connections between the toggle joint members 50 and cross bar 12 are embodied in leg members 53 pivoted at 54 tothe joint members 50, leg members 55, pivotedat 56 to the leg members 53 and bolts 57 (Fig. 12) attaching the leg members 55 to the cross bar 12. The connections between the toggle joint members 51 and the cross bar 13 are embodied in leg members 5.3 pivoted at 54 to the togglejoint members 51, leg members 55 pivoted at 56 to the leg members 53 and bolts 57 attaching the leg members 55 to the cross bar 13.

Braces 58 and 59 connect the leg members, each brace being pivoted to one legmember and detachably engaged with the otherleg member.

When the toggle joints are inactive, as shown by Fig. 15, the bottom 15 and springs 14 are loose and the bed is adapted to be folded. When the toggle joints are active, as

The con- .ncotions between the toggle joint members 61 and the cross bar 13 are embodied in bolts 64, pivotally securing the members 61 to the cross bar 13. When the toggle joints are inactive, as shown by Fig. 18, the bottom body 15 and springs 14 are loose, and the bed is adapted to be folded. When the toggle joints are active, as shown by Fig. 16, the bottom body and springs are put under tension, and the bed is operative. Leg members 66 and 67 are pivotally connected by the bolts 63 and 64 to the toggle joint members and to the cross bars, and are releasably secured by braces 68 and 69. Leg members hinged at i 71 to the toggle members 60 support the toggle joints, as shown by Fig. 16, when the bed is operative. Braces 7 2 are pivoted to the leg members 70 and detachably engageable with the toggle members 60. lVhen the toggle joints are inactive, as shown by Fig. 18., the bottom body and springsare loose, and the bed is adapted to be folded. When the toggle joints are active, as shown by Fig. 16, the bottom body and springs are put under ten sion.

It will now be seen that each of the described embodiments of the invention includes a pair of parallel cross bars, two toggle joints extending between the cross bars, the meeting ends of the joint members being between the cross bars, connections between the outer ends of the oint members and cross bars, and a flexible bed bottom including an inelastic body and springs connecting the ends of the body with the cross bars. It will also be seen that when the toggle joints are active, the cross bars are fixedly maintained at a maximum distance apart, and exert tension on the said springs and bottom, and when the toggle joints are inactive, the distance between the cross bars is decreased, so that the springs and bottom body are loosened, and the bed is foldable. Each embodiment of the invention also includes legforming means adapted to support the said toggle joints, connections, springs, and bed bottom when the toggle joints are active.

A cot bed is therefore provided which may be readily collapsed and reduced to compact form for storage, and extended oradjusted for use, the bed including a flexible bottom body and springs which are stretched to provide a comfortable support, by the operation of extending the bed.

The structure of each of the described embodiments of the invention may be defined as including the following elements, viz.; rigid cross bars 12 and 13, a flexible and substantially inextensible fabric 15, springs 14 connecting the ends of the fabric with said cross bars, two sets of legs connected with said cross bars, a foldable and extensible frame consisting of toggle members pivotally connected with the respective sets of legs, and togglec0nnecting joints operable by downward pressure and coiiperating to extend the frame to the extent required to elongate and increase the tension of the springs and to strain the fabric. In the structure shown by Figs. 1, 2 and 13, the sets of legs 18 and 21 are directly connected by the bolts 20 and 26 with the cross bars 12 and 13. The foldable and extensible frame is formed by the toggle members 17 and 21, directly pivoted at 19 and 25 to the legs. The toggle-connecting joints are formed by the sockets 22 and the ends of the toggle members 21 entering said sockets. The extensions 17 constitute supplemental supporis intermediate the two sets of legs.

In the structure shown by Figs. 3 and 14, the sets of legs 37 and 41 are connected with the cross bars 12 and 13 by the members 39, attached to the cross bar 12, the members 43 attached to the cross bar 13, and the bolts 40 and 41 connecting the legs 37 with the members 39, and connecting the legs 41 with the members 43; the toggleconnecting joints being formed by the hinge connection 36. The members 45 constitute supplemental supports at one end of the structure.

In the structure shown by Figs. 4 and 15, the sets of legs 55 and 55 are directly connected by bolts 57 and 57 with the cross bars 12 and 13. The foldable and extensible frame is formed by the toggle members 50 and 51, directly pivoted at 54 and 54 with the sets of legs 53 and 53*, and the toggleconnecting joints are formed by the hinges The members 53 and 53 constitute supplemental supports intermediate the sets of legs, and elements of pivotal connections between the toggle members 50 and 51 and the sets of legs 55 and 55*, said members being connected by pivots 56 and 56 with the legs 55 and 55.

In the structure shown by Figs. 16, 17 and 18, the two sets of legs 66 and 67 are directly connected by pivot bolts 63 and 64 with the cross bars 12 and 13, the foldable and extensible frame is formed by the toggle members 60 and 61 rigidly attached to the cross bars, and pivotally connected with the legs by the said cross bars and pivot bolts, and the toggle-connecting joints are formed by the hinges 62. The leg members 7 0 constitute supports intermediate the sets of legs 66 and 67 I claim:

1. A collapsible spring cot bed comprising rigid cross bars, a flexible and substantially inextensible fabric, springs resiliently connecting the ends of the fabric with said cross bars, sets of legs connected with said cross bars, a foldable and extensible frame consisting of toggle members pivotally connected with the respective sets of legs, and toggle-connecting joints operable by down ward pressure, and coiiperating to extend the frame to the extent required to elongate and increase the tension of the springs and to strain said fabric.

2. A collapsible spring cot bed comprising rigid cross-bars, a flexible and substantially inextensible fabric, springs resiliently connecting the ends of the fabric with said cross bars, sets of legs connected with said cross bars, a foldable and extensible frame consisting of toggle members pivotally connected with the respective sets of legs, and toggle-comiecting joints operable by downward pressure, and cooperating to extendthe frame to the extent required to elongate and increase the tension of the springs and to strain said fabric, the bed being provided with supplemental supports cooperating with said legs when the bed is operatively adjusted.

3. A collapsible spring cot bed compris ingrigid cross bars, a flexible and sub stantially inextensible fabric resiliently connected with said cross bars, sets of legs attached to said crossbars, toggle members pivotally connected with one set of legs and inclined and extended so as to form intermediate supports bearing upon the surface upon which the legs are supported, a second set of toggle members pivotally connected with the other set of legs, and toggle-connecting joints for the respective toggle members operable by downward pressure.

4-. A collapsible spring cot bed comprising rigid cross bars, a flexible and substantially inextensible fabric resiliently connected with said crossbars, sets of legs at tached to said crossbars, a set of togglemembers attached to one set of legs and provided with sockets, and a second set of longer toggle members pivotally connected with the other set of legs and having their free ends shaped to engage said sockets.

In testimony whereof l have aflixed my signature.

JOHN W. RICHARDS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G." 

